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MG MGA - Is my clutch going?

I've had the car for 4 seasons now and I've never felt particularly confident with the clutch.

The major issue is a take off in 1st gear. The power transfer isn't always smooth and steady, particularly when cold, it seems to have a judder to it as I let up on the clutch. The only place I feel it is through the pedal.

There is no other notable signs of slippage.

What do you all think?

If I were to guess, I would guess that the clutch was replaced in 1987, which is probably 30,000 miles ago.

But I have no real way to verify that.

Thanks
T McCarthy

The judder is typical of a clutch that has some oil on it, not an uncommon problem. It can normally be felt in the pedal, so can a bad release bearing.
J Heisenfeldt

Anybody ever try the brake cleaner trick?

Apparently you put the little red pipet up the 1/4" drain hole and spray away.
T McCarthy

Can't hurt to try. Make sure to use the old style cleaner, CRC in the red can or an equivilant. The new "enviromentaly friendly" stuff is made out of paint thinner, very flammable and flashes off to fast to carry the oil away.
J Heisenfeldt

It could also be a worn spigot bush causing the judder. The last guy who changed the clutch would not necessarily have renewed the bush and it could be due.
David "a bush in the spigot is worth two in the judder" Lieb
David Lieb

The brake cleaner approach worked very very well
T McCarthy

This thread was discussed between 25/07/2008 and 30/07/2008

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.